The Legend of Elodie Grant (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-six

We stood on the hill, hand in hand. The sun was high in the sky and I couldn't help but smile as I watched campers scurry around below, doing their best to rebuild the camp to its former glory.

Arsen squeezed my hand and I leaned into him. I was tired, but I also, somehow, felt more rejuvenated than I had in a long while. I had spent the might filling in Arsen about everything that had happened. He couldn't believe he had died, but I remembered all too well the pain of thinking I would have to continue on without him.

He was more than lively now, full of grins and jokes. I suspected he was doing it mostly for my sake, trying to reassure me we were okay. I was grateful to him for it, and fell in love with him even more than before, which I didn't think was possible.

The sound of someone approaching brought us out of our little bubble and we both looked over to watch Chiron's approach. He smiled at the two of us as he neared, his eyes tired, but peaceful.

"How is the girl?" I asked as he stopped a few feet away from us. My thoughts had been on the young girl who had been with Thalia. She had lost a friend this week, and her's wouldn't be coming back for a long while.

"She is devastated, as can be expected." He told me. "But little Annabeth is stronger than most. She will be okay, even if it does not seem like it now. She has a trying future ahead of her, but she's the daughter of Athena. I have a feeling she will take everything in strides."

I smiled, comforted by his words.

"Where will you go?" He asked, turning to look down at the camp. His eyes shown with pride at the work the campers were doing.

"The woods." Arsen told him. "I remembered there was an old cabin in the farthest corner, next to the border. It's a mess right now, but I think I'll be able to fix it up all nice and pretty."

"If you don't mind rearranging the territories for capture the flag, of course." I added in, laughing slightly. "I feel like having a son of Ares storm into my home every Friday would grow quite old."

Chiron laughed and nodded his head. "Of course, Elodie. It's the least I could do after all that has happened."

I smiled at him, and Arsen squeezed my hand. I was perfectly content, despite the confusion I held for my future.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way. Are you sure you don't want to be with the camp?" Chiron suddenly asked, his eyes searching our faces.

I turned to share a look with Arsen. My time at Camp Half-Blood turned out to be very short indeed, but, after everything, I felt like I did not belong there as a camper anymore. Maybe I never did.

"No. I think it's time we learn our own way." I murmured, turning to look at him. "But you must know how grateful I am to you and everything you have done for me. You brought me to my home, my future. For that, I thank you."

"I wish we could have had more time together, Elodie. I believe we would have been close friends."

"I have no doubt."

Arsen let go of my hand to go hug the centaur. They had known each other much longer than I had known either of them, and I turned to let them have a private moment together. When I turned, I saw Brooke waiting, her goat legs twitching impatiently. My face broke into a grin, my eyes filling with tears.

Brooke also looked about to cry and she hurried forward into my arms. She would be the one I missed most, my first friend in this crazy place. She was the first one who made me feel welcome, and I would never forget that.

"I love you, Brooke." I told her earnestly, pulling out of her hold to smile at her. "You are always welcome to visit whenever you want to."

"I love you too, Elodie."

I pulled her into another hug and wiped my face clean of tears over her shoulder. I could feel her laugh at me, but I have no doubt she was crying as well.

"I'll talk about you, you know. I'll make sure everyone knows the legend of Elodie Grant." She told me, fiercely.

"What am I? Chopped hellhound?" I heard Arsen call from behind me.

I pulled away, all of us laughing. I moved back over to Arsen's side as they trekked back down the hill, waving goodbye. I took his hand in mine, squeezing gently. We were alone now, and we would be for the foreseeable future.

"Think you'll get sick of me?" I asked, looking up at him. "Forever is a long time to be together."

He rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into his chest.

"Probably." He joked. "You get pretty irritating after awhile."

I laughed, jabbing his side with my fingers. He smiled down at me, his eyes full of love.

"I am so happy to spend the rest of my life with you, Elodie Grant." He told me, suddenly serious. "You are the love of my life, and of my soul."

I smiled, leaning up on my tiptoes to capture his mouth with mine. I was happy. So very happy, that I felt as if I could burst. I wished time would stop and I'd be able to stay in this moment forever, but alas, time continued on around us, and Arsen eventually had to pull away from men. I grew wary as a mysterious grin grew on his face.

"You know," He said, "Everyone might learn about the legend of Elodie Grant, but I'll be the only one who knows what a good lay she is."

I smacked him over the head.